The Adam O'Brien era is officially over in Newcastle, with the Knights coach finishing his tenure after a 66-10 thrashing at the hands of the Eels.
2025 has been a tumultuous year for the club, who won just six-games throughout the regular season.
O'Brien was billed as the Knights saviour after his apprenticeship's under both Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson; and the returns after four seasons looked promising, making three finals appearances.
But with his career win rate dropping below 50 per cent this season, powerbrokers in the Hunter were unable to justify bringing him back for another crack at premiership glory.
Attention now turns to who will be taking over the reins from O'Brien as the next head coach in Newcastle.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the candidates leading the race appear to be Blake Green, Justin Holbrook, Dean Young, John Morris, Michael Cheika and Paul McGregor.
The Sporting News breaks down each coaching candidate for the Knights job and how they would fare in that role.
MORE: Adam O'Brien sacked: Knights officially part ways with coach
Who will be the next head coach of the Newcastle Knights?
Blake Green
Blake Green is the frontrunner to be promoted from his current role as assistant coach into heading up the Knights organisation.
He played 270 first-grade games across nine clubs, and has quickly ascended through the coaching ranks after hanging up the boots at the end of the 2021 season.
Newcastle powerbrokers have had the opportunity to assess the 38-year-old's coaching chops up close in recent seasons.
It's been widely reported that Green has struck up a great relationship with many of the Knights senior players, including superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga.
The major knocks against Green are that he is relatively inexperienced in the coaching arena, and also that he's been in-charge of an attack that ranks 17th for total points scored this season.
Justin Holbrook
Having recently been shown the door by the Titans, critics may question the logic behind recycling a coach that's already washed-out of the NRL.
However, when put under the microscope, Justin Holbrook's tenure on the Gold Coast has aged decently well, with the Titans now bottoming out at 16th position on the ladder just four-years after he got them into the top-eight.
Holbrook also has runs on the board overseas, leading St. Helens to their 14th championship win in 2019.
If Holbrook has learned from his time on the Gold Coast, and rectified his issues closing-out games, he could be a slam-dunk replacement for Adam O'Brien in 2026.
Dean Young
Dean Young has long been tipped as a future NRL head coach.
Currently an assistant at the Dragons, the 41-year-old brings a leadership style honed during his playing days at St. George Illawarra.
Young has previously had a caretaker stint in charge of the Dragons in 2020, and has impressed within several first grade systems.
The son of NRL royalty, Young is the type of rugby league blue blood that might appeal to the Hunter faithful.
John Morris
John Morris is also in the frame after having previously coached Cronulla.
He led the Sharks to back-to-back finals campaigns despite challenging salary cap restrictions, before making way for Craig Fitzgibbon in 2021.
Morris has since built his resume as an assistant with the Rabbitohs and Tigers, and is seen as a patient, developmental coach.
A renewed focus in Newcastle could unlock Morris' full potential as a first grade coach which was never really tapped into in his previous stops.
Michael Cheika
Michael Cheika is the headline name to enter the race for the Knights coaching job.
The former Wallabies coach has an extensive rugby union resume, including titles with Leinster and the Waratahs, and a Rugby World Cup final appearance in 2015.
Cheika has dabbled in league, working with the Roosters as an assistant and coaching Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup.
While some see him as a risk given his lack of NRL head coaching experience, his credentials as a leader and motivator are hard to ignore.
Paul McGregor
Paul McGregor rounds out this list of contenders.
The former Dragons coach had mixed results in his seven seasons at the helm, guiding St. George Illawarra to the finals twice.
While his tenure ended in 2020, McGregor's experience as a long-term NRL head coach could appeal to Newcastle powerbrokers seeking stability.